what's with the mirror?

youngmom

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 8:41 pm

is it a myth or is it true that babies under a year shouldn't look into a mirror? I've heard this for years and want a source. can someone help me?

hisorerus

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 8:43 pm

It's a Jewish thing, not a scientific thing. Don't know the source, though.

miriam

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 8:46 pm

When they see their reflection, they don't see the malachim that they always see (watching them and playing with them). It scares them b/c they are suddnely alone.

I am sure people are going to correct me but that's what I have heard.

youngmom

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 8:49 pm

that's interesting miriam. thanx.
but actually the few times my daughter did see herself in the mirror she got very excited - though I try to keep her away from it.

BinahYeteirah

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 8:51 pm

I was just going to come here to ask this!

I, too, would love to know the source.

baby's mom

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 9:01 pm

huh? ive never heard of this one! Can someone explain and give a source please? My daughter loves to see herself in the mirror she talks and talks with herself...it's quite a site!

miriam

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 9:07 pm

I am researching on google right now. I will let you know if I find anything.

miriam

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 9:38 pm

Okay, I learned a lot but nothing on this topic directly. Sorry. I will ask around tomorrow, IY"H.

BrachaVHatzlocha

Sun, Nov 20 2005, 9:45 pm

I heard until the baby has its first tooth. My parents held this -- don't have a source.
When we had our son we asked a rov and he said it's superstitious and we don't have to keep it.

hadasa

Mon, Nov 21 2005, 3:42 am

It's not exclusively Jewish - the Russian Goyas believe in it too.

My personal Shitah in all these Bubbe Maises is - If I heard it from MY Bubbe (or mother, or MIL), then I keep it because of Kibud Aim. But I see no point in adopting other people's Bubbe's maises!

tzivi

Mon, Nov 21 2005, 3:47 am

I heard that until the bby gets his/her first tooth, they shouldn't look, for fear that they may become gaivadik (sorry don't know how to spell it in english!)

princessmommy

Mon, Nov 21 2005, 5:19 am

I think that its written in the Arizal. Dont know where though.

sarahd

Mon, Nov 21 2005, 5:27 am

Here's last year's discussion on the topic: http://imamother.com/forum/vie.....09d49

baby's mom

Sun, Dec 04 2005, 12:17 am

hadasa wrote:

My personal Shitah in all these Bubbe Maises is - If I heard it from MY Bubbe (or mother, or MIL), then I keep it because of Kibud Aim. But I see no point in adopting other people's Bubbe's maises!

hardwrknmom

Sun, Dec 04 2005, 4:36 pm

My bubby always said "don't let babies look in the miror till they've got their first tooth". And so I go along with it. dh laughs.

Tue, Feb 28 2006, 8:47 am

I grew up with this one. my mum used 2 put a tzivos hashem sticker on the mirror of the baby's play-gym. when my baby was born I was interested in whether this was just a 'bubbe-maiser' or really a spiritual thing we dont understand. I was at the rabbi's house for a meal (the rabi I consult in most seriousmatters) and he said it it a true thing but didnt go into detail possibly b/c we were at the shabbas table.